Mollohan Presses House for WVU Salute

By: Roger Sheppard

Posted: Mon 5:44 PM, Jan 28, 2008

By: Roger Sheppard

While Rome burned, Nero fiddled

Anyone who doesn't think Alan Mollohan can get things done in Washington, isn't paying attention! Take today for instance. With all of the problems that beset our state, our nation, and our world, the First District WV Congressman was able to push a resolution through the esteemed House of Representatives honoring and commending the WVU football team for its victory in the Fiesta Bowl. I kid you not. And his office was so proud of this momentous occasion, that it prepared a news release containing the wording of the entire resolution. Now, Congressman Mollohan isn't the only member of Congress to push for this kind of drivel. I'm sure the Congressional Record is full of this kind of stuff. But while I like to think I'm as big a fan of WVU football as anyone, this strikes me as a foolish waste of time. And as we all know, a waste of time in Washington somehow or another is a waste of taxpayers' money. Someone had to take the time to write up this overly detailed resolution. Someone has to pay for the paper on which it was printed, and so on. Okay, it may not be much but every little bit adds up. I now present for your reading enjoyment the entire news release and text of this resolution. I welcome your comments: House Passes Mollohan Resolution Honoring WVU Fiesta Bowl Win WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives Monday passed a resolution introduced by Congressman Alan B. Mollohan that honors and commends the West Virginia University Mountaineer Football team for its landmark victory in the 2008 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. Mollohan said the team’s impressive fight against the odds to emerge victorious from the bowl game with a national television audience was worthy of significant recognition. The resolution, H.Res. 938, reads: Whereas the West Virginia University Mountaineer football team won the 2008 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, defeating the University of Oklahoma Sooners by a score of 48 to 28 in Glendale, Arizona, on January 2, 2008; Whereas the Mountaineer football team has been a source of great pride for West Virginians throughout the years; Whereas the people of West Virginia take their team’s triumphs and setbacks as their own in times of hardship and in times of prosperity; Whereas the Mountaineers displayed uncommon intensity and determination in preparing for the challenge of meeting one of the best teams in the country in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl; Whereas the Mountaineers executed an almost flawless game; Whereas then-Assistant Coach Bill Stewart demonstrated true leadership and coaching skill by filling an unexpected coaching void, instilling confidence in his team and leading them to victory, thereby earning the admiration and gratitude of his fellow West Virginians; Whereas the Fiesta Bowl Most Valuable Player on offense, Mountaineer quarterback Pat White, gave a brilliant running and passing performance that inspired his teammates, delighted his fans, and frustrated his opponents; Whereas the Fiesta Bowl Most Valuable Player on defense, Mountaineer linebacker and native West Virginian Reed Williams, led his teammates in an outstanding defensive performance; Whereas Mountaineer Senior fullback Owen Schmitt, through his steady play and gracious post-game words of victory, displayed the best qualities of team play and sportsmanship; Whereas Mountaineer receiver Tito Gonzales demonstrated outstanding play with a 79-yard touchdown pass and showed a national television audience how important Mountaineer success was to his team and his state; Whereas Mountaineer Freshman tailback Noel Devine gave a spirited and skillful performance worthy of his injured teammate and mentor, record-breaking tailback Steve Slaton; Whereas the Mountaineers’ offensive line dominated the battle in the trenches, making possible the outstanding performances of White, Devine, Schmitt, receiver Darius Reynaud, kicker Pat McAfee and the other offensive stars of the day; Whereas the Mountaineers’ attacking defense contained one of the best teams in the nation and forced the Sooner offense to yield the field time and again; Whereas the Mountaineers finished among the top ten football rankings for three years in a row; Whereas Mountaineer Athletic Director Ed Pastilong has instilled in the Athletic Department the highest standards of ethics and performance throughout his many years of leadership; Whereas the Mountaineers and their new Head Coach Bill Stewart have brought great honor to themselves, their University and the State of West Virginia: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) Congratulates the West Virginia University Mountaineer football team for winning the 2008 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl; and (2) Commends the team for demonstrating throughout the season the best qualities of teamwork, dedication, and sportsmanship.

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